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Reflections on Transformations Two of the topics that I wrote about during this semester are individuality and the transforming power of seeing art. In looking at art, I believe that I am transformed through every experience, even when the art is not appealing. The same has happened during the course of the semester as I have worked towards finding a way to express myself and my thoughts through clear, focused work. This has not been an easy process, and finding clear focus is far more difficult than one might imagine.
Still, in discussing individuality in my first paper, I believe that I found a clarity about my own identity. In focusing on the experience of seeing art in an art museum, I came to understand how I am influenced by the expressions of artists. Creating written work has been a painful, but exhilarating experience that has enriched my own sense of identity. The paper that I wrote on individuality enlarged my understanding of what it means to be an individual. I recognized what an individual is, but understanding what individuality is within the identity was something I had only thought about in a cursory way.
In creating a discussion about individuality, I was able to connect the concepts of individuality to focus, something that made sense once the two ideas were connected. In creating self driven focus, one is able to maintain his or her own identity without being swayed to the left or right of one’s beliefs. In relating my own efforts in becoming an individual, I was able to relive the experiences that have brought me to the place in life that I currently hold. In understanding those aspects of individuality, I realized that I had made great accomplishments and that I would be able to move forward and continue to grow as an individual.
Through writing about my experiences with art, the relationship that was created by having the opportunity to see it as it was intended to be seen, I discovered something about authenticity that I did not expect. In creating the writing for the piece, describing all of the ways in which the visual impact of art has changed my ability to ‘see’, I found that this too was part of my individuality. Through fully expressing my thoughts on my experiences, I began to see the individuality that was connected through my way of seeing the artwork within the museums.
I realized that this experience, though undoubtedly somewhat universal, was not universally shared with everyone. Not everyone has the opportunity to see the things I have had the privilege to see, thus this aspect of my ability to ‘see’ contributes to my individuality. In writing about it, expressing how it impacted my life, I began to feel a deeper connection to my own identity. Not every attempt at writing was fully successful. I feel that some of the work I created could have been enriched by a better understanding of what I was trying to say.
I realized that in writing comes a new sense of a topic, that it becomes something alive that grows from the discussion. However, sometimes the discussion goes beyond one’s control and bringing it back is not always an easy task. Being a part of the experience of writing sometimes reminds one how much one has not learned, rather than expressing how bright and wonderful are the thoughts that are begging to be set to paper. I have been grateful to find the humility within the act of writing as well as the exhilaration when the words form just the right impression of what I am trying to say.
Even when the work is difficult or when the words do not give the right intent, the satisfaction of being able to express yourself makes writing an experience that helps to transform and define the individual, just the same as seeing a piece of artwork.
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